Most people who run WordPress eventually hit the same moment. The site was quick at the start, but as the traffic grows and the database fills up, pages begin to slow down. Nothing dramatic, just a small delay you notice more and more. It’s the usual WordPress story.
Memcached remains relevant because it addresses this problem straightforwardly. It keeps the data WordPress keeps asking for in memory, so the server doesn’t have to run the same database queries repeatedly. It doesn’t change how your site works, but it quietly reduces the load that slows it down.
This helps high-traffic sites the most. Blogs, stores, forums, and anything that gets busy during certain hours benefits from it right away. Pages open quicker, the server stays calm, and the site feels lighter.
The one thing that really decides how well Memcached performs is the hosting setup. If the service and the PHP extension aren’t configured properly, WordPress won’t use them. Many people think it’s enabled when it isn’t.
That’s why it still matters today. It’s simple, dependable, and solves a problem almost every growing WordPress site runs into sooner or later.
What Is Memcached
Memcached is a small service that stores frequently used data in your server’s memory. This helps WordPress and PHP avoid repeated database queries, which makes the site load faster and reduces server stress.
How Memcached Works Behind the Scenes
When WordPress asks for data, Memcached first checks if it already has it in memory.
If it does, the response is instant.
If not, the database handles the request, and Memcached saves a copy for next time.
This cycle speeds up dynamic pages and reduces unnecessary load.
Where Memcached Fits in the Caching Process
- It works at the object caching layer.
- Page caching handles full pages.
- Browser caching stores static files.
- CDNs deliver content globally.
Memcached handles the repeated database calls WordPress makes during normal page loads.
Why Developers Still Choose Memcached Instead of Redis
Memcached is lightweight, simple to use, and extremely fast for straightforward caching tasks. Developers prefer it when they don’t need the extra features Redis offers and just want quick object caching without complex setup.
Examples of Websites That Benefit From Memcached
- News sites with high database activity.
- E-commerce stores with frequent product lookups.
- Blogs with posts that get consistent traffic.
- Agencies managing multiple WordPress installs.
- Membership or learning sites with logged-in users.
How Memcached Improves WordPress Performance
- Database query caching
- Reduced server load
- Faster TTFB ( mobile-first importance)
- Better performance for WooCommerce, LMS websites
From what we see on BigCloudy servers every day, sites with busy product pages or large blogs usually feel the improvement within minutes of enabling object caching.
If you’re using a performance-tuned environment like BigCloudy’s WordPress Hosting, object caching usually activates smoothly and works right away. For users focused on rankings, faster TTFB, and clean IP footprints, BigCloudy SEO VPS Hosting also pairs well with Memcached because the environment is built for speed and stable database performance.
Memcached vs Redis
Memcached and Redis both speed up WordPress by reducing database work, but they’re built with different goals in mind. The choice usually depends on the type of site you’re running and how much flexibility you want on the server.
As a hosting provider, we see thousands of sites using both. The patterns are consistent: some sites run better with a simple, memory-only cache like Memcached, while others need Redis for more complex tasks. Here’s how they differ in real-world use.
Memcached-Pros
- Extremely fast for basic object caching
- Lightweight and easy to configure
- Ideal for sites with high read activity
- Uses less memory per object
- Works well with WordPress plugins like W3TC, LSC, and Object Cache options
Memcached-Cons
- No data persistence
- Not suited for advanced caching logic
- Limited features compared to Redis
Redis-Pros
- Can store data in memory and on disk
- Supports lists, sets, sorted sets, counters, sessions, and queues
- Better for logged-in users, WooCommerce carts, and membership sites
- Handles large caching structures efficiently
Redis-Cons
- Overkill for sites that only need basic cache storage
- Slightly heavier for simple object caching
- Needs more tuning for best performance
What Most SEO Guides and Hosting Blogs Won’t Tell You
Most articles make Redis sound universally better because it has more features. In real hosting environments, that’s not always true. These are the things we see behind the scenes at scale:
- Many WordPress websites don’t use Redis’s advanced features at all.
- Memcached often wins in raw speed for simple database object caching.
- Redis can slow down poorly optimized servers if persistence isn’t configured correctly.
- Memcached uses less memory overhead, which matters on small VPS plans.
- WooCommerce doesn’t require Redis; most stores run perfectly with Memcached.
- Redis is great for developers. Memcached is great for WordPress users who want reliable speed.
This real-world balance rarely appears in SEO comparison guides.
How Memcached Works With PHP
Memcached connects to PHP through a small extension that lets PHP store and fetch data directly from memory. When WordPress loads a page, PHP checks Memcached first. If the data is already there, it skips the database and returns the result immediately. That small shortcut removes a lot of pressure from MySQL.
What the PHP Memcached Extension Actually Does
Once this extension is installed, PHP can save anything important, query results, post metadata, and user sessions in Memcached. WordPress plugins and core functions use this automatically, so you don’t need to configure anything manually. It simply reduces repeated work.
Real Examples Where PHP Uses Memcached
- Product pages load faster because price and stock data are already in memory.
- Logged-in areas, dashboards, and carts run smoother because PHP doesn’t keep hitting the database.
- Popular posts on news or blog sites load quickly even during traffic spikes.
- Filtered pages on e-commerce sites avoid expensive repeated queries.
These are everyday WordPress actions, and Memcached cuts most of the overhead.
OPCache vs Memcached vs Object Cache
OPCache speeds up PHP execution by storing compiled scripts in memory.
Memcached speeds up database-heavy work, storing objects and query results.
The WordPress Object Cache ties everything together by using Memcached to hold the items WordPress requests most often.
In short:
- OPCache makes PHP faster.
- Memcached makes database work faster.
- Object Cache makes WordPress behave more efficiently.
Working together, they remove the major bottlenecks that slow WordPress down.
Before You Begin
To enable Memcached properly, make sure your server meets these basics:
- PHP 7.4 or PHP 8.x
- SSH or root access
- A caching plugin that supports object caching
- Memcached is installed or available on your hosting plan
These small checks avoid 90% of setup issues WordPress users face.
When You Should Use Memcached
Use Memcached when your WordPress site makes a lot of repeated database requests and starts slowing down because of them. It’s ideal for blogs, e-commerce stores, news sites, and any setup where the same data is fetched again and again. It gives the biggest boost during traffic spikes, keeps the server lighter, and speeds up dynamic pages without complex configuration. Avoid it only if you need persistent or advanced caching features, which is where Redis fits better.
How to Enable Memcached on WordPress
Enabling Memcached on WordPress is simple once your server supports it. You only need the Memcached service running, the PHP extension installed, and WordPress connected to the object cache layer.
Install Memcached on the Server
Your hosting or VPS needs the Memcached service running in the background.
On most Linux servers, it’s installed using the package manager, then started and enabled so it runs automatically.
Once running, you should see it listening on the default port (11211).
Install the PHP Memcached Extension
This extension lets WordPress talk to Memcached.
After installing it for your PHP version, restart the web server or PHP-FPM to load the module.
WordPress won’t detect Memcached without this extension.
Enable WordPress Object Caching
WordPress uses object caching only when a drop-in cache file is present.
Most caching plugins can create this file automatically.
Once active, WordPress starts storing repeated queries and metadata in Memcached instead of the database.
Choose a Compatible Caching Plugin
These plugins connect WordPress to Memcached with one click:
- Object Cache Pro-Premium, reliable for WooCommerce and heavy sites.
- W3 Total Cache (W3TC)-Free, straightforward Memcached support.
- LiteSpeed Cache-Ideal if your server runs LiteSpeed; native Memcached integration.
- WP Rocket-Doesn’t include object caching itself, but works smoothly alongside Memcached.
Pick one based on your server type and traffic. Once configured, WordPress immediately begins using Memcached for database-heavy tasks.
Memcached Setup Guide (Step-by-Step)
1. Install Memcached
Install the Memcached package on your server and start the service.
It should be running on port 11211 once installed.
2. Install the PHP Memcached Extension
Add the Memcached extension for your active PHP version.
Restart PHP-FPM or your web server so WordPress can detect it.
3. Configure the Service
Set basic limits like memory allocation and max connections.
Enable the service to start automatically on reboot.
4. Test if Memcached Is Running
Use a quick status command or a Memcached client tool to confirm the service is active and accepting connections.
5. Connect WordPress to Memcached
Install a plugin that supports object caching (W3TC, LiteSpeed Cache, Object Cache Pro).
Enable object cache and point it to 127.0.0.1:11211.
6. Verify That Caching Works
View the caching status inside your plugin or check your server logs.
You should see fewer repeated MySQL queries and faster page responses once Memcached starts storing objects.
Quick Command to Confirm Memcached Is Active:
php -m | grep memcached
Troubleshooting Common Memcached Issues
1. Memcached Service Not Starting
This usually happens when the package didn’t install correctly, or the service is blocked by the firewall.
Restart the service and check if it’s running on port 11211.
2. WordPress Not Detecting Memcached
If WordPress doesn’t see Memcached, the PHP Memcached extension is almost always missing.
Install or enable the correct extension for your PHP version, then reload PHP-FPM.
3. Cache Not Clearing
Some plugins don’t flush Memcached automatically.
Clear the object cache from your caching plugin or restart the Memcached service to force a reset.
4. Memory Leaks or High Memory Use
This can happen if cached objects pile up without expiring.
Lower the TTL value or allocate more memory, depending on how busy your site is.
5. PHP Extension Mismatch
If you switch PHP versions, the Memcached extension may stop working.
Install the extension again for the new PHP version and restart your web server.
6. Port Conflict (11211 Busy)
Another service might already be using port 11211.
Check open ports and reassign Memcached to a different port if needed.
7. Slow TTFB Even With Memcached Enabled
This usually means the object cache isn’t being used.
Check if queries are actually being stored in Memcached and confirm that your caching plugin is connected.
Conclusion: Should You Use Memcached?
If your WordPress site slows down because of repeated database queries, Memcached is still one of the easiest and most reliable ways to improve performance. It lightens the database load, makes dynamic pages respond faster, and works well with modern PHP setups.
Most BigCloudy users see an instant improvement once object caching is enabled because the environment is already tuned for it. High-traffic blogs, stores, and agency sites especially feel the difference during busy hours.
Use Memcached when your site relies heavily on database lookups.
Choose Redis only if you need persistence or more advanced caching features.
For most WordPress sites, Memcached is a simple, effective performance boost.
FAQ:
Yes. Memcached works perfectly with WordPress and PHP when the Memcached service and the PHP Memcached extension are installed. Once enabled, WordPress uses it to store repeated database queries in memory, which makes dynamic pages load faster.
Memcached reduces the number of database queries WordPress has to run. Instead of pulling the same data again and again, WordPress retrieves it directly from memory. This helps lower TTFB, stabilizes the site during traffic spikes, and keeps the server load low.
You can confirm it by checking if the Memcached service is running on port 11211 and verifying that the PHP Memcached extension is active. Inside WordPress, most caching plugins show a “Connected” or “Object Cache Enabled” status when everything is working.
For most WordPress sites, blogs, content sites, agency installs, and lightweight stores, Memcached is more than enough. Choose Redis only if your site needs persistent storage or handles complex data like carts, sessions, and large logged-in traffic.
Yes. BigCloudy fully supports Memcached on WordPress and PHP, and most plans already include the Memcached service and PHP extension by default. This means you can enable object caching without extra manual setup. Many users see faster load times and lower TTFB immediately because the environment is already tuned for Memcached at the server level.
